The Bishop of Durham, The Right Reverend Paul Butler, and Imam for the University of Sunderland, Yusuf Meah at the official opening of the new Interfaith Chaplaincy Centre on the St Peter's Campus.

THE new Bishop of Durham officially opened a new centre in Sunderland which brings together people of all faiths and religions under one roof.

The Rt Rev Paul Butler cut the red and white ribbon at a ceremony to open the University of Sunderland’s Interfaith Chaplaincy Centre.

The Centre is open to anyone, whether or not they are religious and has a theological library, prayer spaces for different religions and will act as a meeting point for different activities and events.

The Centre is based at Wearbank House, Charles Street, and is next to the University’s Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter’s and the historic St Peter’s Church.

Rev Chris Howson, who organised the launch, said: “This will be a space for people of all faiths to use, and help people from completely different backgrounds get to know each other. Community groups can use it and it’s wonderful to have this here, it shows the inclusion within the university and acceptance of people from across the world.

Yusuf Meah, Imam of the Islamic Society at the University of Sunderland, said: “It will help people across the North East community engage and bond and it is not just for students but also in the wider community of Sunderland.”

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